Mist lubricated ripsawing method and mechanisms



March 15, 1966 A. J. GOLICK MIST LUBRICATED RIPSAWING METHOD ANDMECHANISMS Original Filed July 2'7, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l March 15, 1966A. J. GOLICK 3,240,243

MIST LUBRICAI'ED RIPSAWING METHOD AND MECHANISMS Original Filed July 27,1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. 4LEm/v01z2 J. Goucx March 15, 1966 A. J.GOLICK 3,240,243

MIST LUBRICATED RIPSAWING METHOD AND MECHANISMS Original Filed July 27,1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. AlfXA/Yflffi J GOUCK United StatesPatent 3,249,243 MIST LUBRICATEB RHSAWING METHOD AND IvEEQHANISMSAlexander J. Goiiclr, 7513 23rd NW., Seattle, Wash. Original applicationItaly 27, E61, Ser. No. 127,220, now Patent No. 3,156,274, dated Nov.10, 1964. Divided and this application Aug. 5, 1964, Ser. No. 387,650

5 Claims. (Cl. 143158) This application is a division of my applicationSerial No. 127,220, entitled Mist Lubricated Ripsawing Method andMechanisms, filed July 27, 1961, and now issued as US Patent No.3,156,274, granted November 10, 1964.

The present invention relates to a method of and sawing machines for thesawing of Wood and like materials, and relates more particularly toimprovements for selflubricat'mg high speed sawing machines such as gangripsaw machines for simultaneously cutting a piece of lumber into amultiple of strips or slats, for example.

It is the principal object of the present invention to provide practicaland highly efiicient machines embodying certain novel operatingtechniques and details and features of construction whereby cuttingefiiciency is improved by virtue of substantially uniform delivery ofatomized lubricant to all saw blades, whereby continuous operation ofthe machines can be maintained for long periods Without shutdown forcleaning or saw replacement, whereby accuracy in cutting is improved,whereby the kerf loss is reduced to a minimum, and whereby smoother cutsare made.

In its broader aspects the present invention provides a basically newmethod of saw cutting wood and like material While lubricating, coolingand self-cleaning the saw blade surfaces by continuously directingthereon an atomized mist of lubricant generated in the locale of the sawassembly, to be in heat conductive relation therewith so that thecooling effect incident to the lubricant atomization absorbs thermalenergy from the saw. This method of sawing constitutes an innovation inthat thin, smooth kerfs with considerable saving (up to of material iseffected, and in that smoother cuts, higher production, more prolongedequipment operation without shutdown, and fundamental improvements insaw design and versatility are thereby realized.

More specifically stated, certain objects and advantages of the presentinvention reside in its utilization of a saw assembly having atomizedlubricant delivery means specifically configured to substantiallyuniformly distribute atomized lubricant to all surfaces of the saws, andalso in the provision or" means delivering atomized lubricant to the sawmandrel Without aspiration of ambient air into the lubricant deliverypassageways of the mandrel, thereby obviating the problem of thelubricant delivery being clogged by ambient sawdust or the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide for thecleaning, cooling and lubricating of saw blades by feeding a pressurizedand atomized lubricant thereto through passageways in the saw spacingdisks, which passageways are in direct, radial communication with anaxial bore in the assembly mounting mandrel through slots or the likesubstantially as long as the gang saw ensemble.

The present invention departs from conventional types of saws in generaluse through out the wood working industry, whereby relatively heavy gangsaw blades of disk form are mounted on a driven shaft or mandrelunderneath the working bed or table surface of the machine, and whereinthe disk type blades are of such diameter as to enable them to protrudethrough slots in the heavy bed, plus the distance required to completelypenetrate the thickness of material being ripped or sawn.

For light finishing of millwork (dried lumber), blades of twelve orsixteen inches in diameter and of twelve or fourteen gage or heavier,are standard at the present time. In green lumber mills, largerdiameters and much heavier gages are generally employed.

In addition to the heavy gages commonly used, the amount of materiallost to the saw kerf is substantially increased by the set of the sawblades to provide the side clearance necessary to prevent binding of theblade and the resultant over-heating and burning. The combination ofheavy gage and set in the blades accounts for the excessive kerf.

The heavy saw gages in present day machines are necessary to provideadequate stability and thermal conductivity under heavy loads and highrim speeds. In general, the gage of the blade employed is somewhatproportional to its diameter. Under some circumstances the gage of theblade material has been reduced at the kerf by grinding, thus combiningstability with minimum. kerf.

In contrast to the heavy gage gang saws commonly now employed, thepresent invention provides saws cutting very thin kerfs at highrotational speeds, and provides for long blade life and efficientripping by virtue of means lubricating, cooling and cleaning all sawsurfaces substantially uniformly by application thereto of lubricant inthe form of atomized mist. More specifically, the present inventionprovides in conjunction with thin disk saws for cuttting lumber,lubrication means whereby a lubricant is atomized at the saw assembly toaugment the cooling effect by virtue of such atomization of thelubricant, and is continuously delivered to all kerf forming surfaces ofthe saws, the feeding and lubricant delivery arrangement being such thata positive or superatmospheric pressure is maintained, insuring deliveryof atomized lubricant to all saw surfaces and further insuring thatthere is no aspiration of ambient air and entrained sawdust or the likeinto the lubricant delivery passageways of the saw assembly. Moreover,it is a further advantageous and characteristic feature of the method ofsawing wood and ganged sawing assemblies of the present invention thatsuch provide atomization of the lubricating and cooling medium, asdistinguished from use of lubricant delivery in entirely liquid phase,or lubricant delivery in essentially entirely gaseous phase, i.e., as avapor or as an essentially vaporized medium. It is another feature andadvantage of the gang saw lubricating technique characteristic of theinvention that such provides atomized lubricant delivery substantiallyuniformly to all saw surfaces, irrespective of the inherent pumpingaction occurring as a result of the centrifugal action generated by thehigh speed of saw rotation.

Another and related advantage of the technique is that the increasedvelocity of flow of lubricant resulting from such pumping action, andfrom the atomization of the lubricant at the saw assembly, botheffectively and materially contribute to the self-cooling action.Atomization of the lubricant at the saw assembly provides that theentire saw assembly is more efiiciently self-cooling, as compared withthe case if lubricant were applied to the saw surfaces in liquid phase,for the reason that atomiza tion has a cooling effect on the lubricant(by reason of the adiabatic expansion of the lubricant) and sinceatomization occurs at the saw assembly the full cooling potential of thethus cooled lubricant is realized at the saw assembly.

These and other objects, features, advantages and characteristics of thepresent invention will be apparent from the following description ofcertain typical and therefore non-liniitive forms thereof, takentogether with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals refer tolike parts, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a gang ripsaw machine embodying certainimprovements of the present invention and comprising a multiple sawassembly with means providing atomized lubrication of the saws;

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the machine of FIG. 1, showing the sidethereof opposite that shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the gang saw assembly of FIG. 1,taken in the longitudinal axial plane of the unit as applied to andsecured on its mounting and driving mandrel, i.e. substantially alongline 3-3 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a view in lateral cross-section, taken substantially alongline 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the spacer disks used between thedisk saws of the unit;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of a modified form of lubricant atom-izingmechanism, showing a typical variation thereof from the formincorporated in the assembly illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of one of the gang saws andlumber supporting table, showing in more detail the manner of gangripping involved, and the arrangement of lubricant delivering orificesin the saw assembly;

FIG. 8 is an end View which illustrates disk-like strip spacers mountedon the out-feed rolls;

FIG. 9 is a side view which illustrates an additional improvementwherein the out-feed rolls are of greater diameter than the in-feedrolls;

FIG. 10' is an end view partially in section, which illustrates inenlarged detail a precision aligning mechanism for a modifiedarrangement having upper and lower saw units;

FIG. 11 is an end view illustrating a further modification of the gangsaw assembly, wherein the assembly includes heavy gage hogging bladesoutboard of a gang of thin blades;

FIG. 12 is a side view illustrating a portion of a modified saw bladehaving larger and fewer teeth than normally employed;

FIG. 13 is a view in longitudinal axial cross section, with certainparts shown in elevation, illustration a modified form of lubricatedgang saw assembly characteristic of the invention, wherein the atomizedlubricant is delivered to a rotating manifold at the end of the sawmandrel, and the lubricant channelling is arranged entirely externallyof the saw mandrel;

FIG. 14 is an end view of the saw assembly shown in FIG. 13, takensubstantially along line 14-14 thereof;

FIG. 15 is a view similar to the views of FIGS. 3 and 13, showing yetanother modification of lubricated gang saw assembly according to thepresent invention, the assembly in this instance being adapted toconversion of existing equipments, the conventional mandrel of which isforeshortened to accommodate the conversion cartridge; and

FIG. 16 is another view taken cross sectionally through the longitudinalaxis of a gang saw assembly characteristic of another modified form ofthe invention, wherein the assembly mounts on an cnd-journalled mandreland provides delivery of the atomized lubricant through a nonrotatingmandrel ring and through communication passageways arranged entirelyexternally of the saw mandrel.

Considering the form of the invention illustrated at FIGS. 1-5, the ripsaw machine there shown comprises a frame F supporting a horizontal feedtable T across which the lumber pieces L or the like being ripped arefed in the direction indicated at D by means of respective upper andlower pairs of infeed rolls IR and outfeed rolls OR.

The upper feed rolls IR and OR are power driven from feed motor FM andare adjustable vertically by action of handwheel W in a mannerconventional per se. Feed motor FM also drives a compressor C, as shownin FIG.

2, forming a part of the self-lubricating mechanism of the invention, asmore fully discussed below. Also, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a suitable physicallocation of lubricant supply tank LT and the lubricant pump LP, which isalso suitably driven by feed motor PM, as by a chain drive from the feedroll drive spindle (again note FIG- 2).

Located between the two sets of feed rolls IR and OR is the gang sawassembly GS characteristic of the invention, which gang saw assembly GSis suitably rotatively driven at high speed by a separate saw motor SM.As shown in FIG. 1, a lubricant atomizer LA is positioned at the end ofthe gang saw assembly GS. Said lubricant atomizer LA suitably receivescompressed air from compressor C through air line AL and pressurizedlubricant through lubricant lines LL via lubricant pump LP.

As shown in more detail in the view of FIG. 3, the saw assembly GS ismounted on and driven by a mandrel or spindle 249 revolving in suitablesupporting bearings mounted in frame structure F and designated at 22.As indicated, noting FIG. 2, said spindle 20 is driven by saw motor SMmounted on bedplate 24 of the frame structure F, said motor SM having abelt connection 26 to a pulley 28 on the mandrel shaft 30.

The makeup of the gang saw assembly GS as shown in FIG. 3, comprises asuccession of alternately arranged disk saws 32 and spacers 34 centeredon a tubular mandrel end 36, ten such disk saws 32 being shown by way ofexample. Said tubular mandrel end 36 has a projecting, annular abutmentflange 38 at one end of the saw assembly GS, herein designated the innerend. At its outer end, the tubular mandrel end 36 is threaded, as at 40,to receive a spacer clamping washer 42 and nut 44.

At the ends of the saw assembly, tubular mandrel end 36 accommodatesinner and outer conically tapered collars 46 and 48. Collar 46 seatsagainst mandrel flange 38, and collar 48 seats against washer 42 at theouter end of the tubular mandrel end 36, and a tubular hub member 52provided with inner and outer counterbore surfaces 54 and 56 is retainedbetween said collars 46, 48 in spaced, concentric relation to tubularmandrel portion 36, the inner end flange 50 of the saw assembly GS beingpreferably an integral portion of said tubular hub member 52. As shownin FIG. 3, inside saw 32 flatly engages said inner end flange 50. Theouter end of said tubular hub member 52 is threaded as at 58 and the sawassembly is completed by an outer flange ring or clamping disk 60 andsecuring nut 62. All of the saws 32 and spacers 34 are keyed to tubularhub member 52 and end flanges 50, 60 by a key rod 64 (FIG. 4) and saidtubular hub mem ber 52 is in turn keyed to the mandrel 20 by a key screw66 (FIG. 3).

All disk saws 32 of the assembly GS are of the same diameter, and arecharacterized by being unusually thin with teeth having very little set,or even with no set in some instances. Each saw disk 32 has a centerhole receiving the tubular hub member 52 in a close fit. Likewise, eachspacer 34 has a center hole 68 closely fitting hub member 52.

An important feature of the present invention resides in the fact thatspacers 34 as applied between saw disk 32 are of a diameter leaving onlythe peripheral portions of the saws 32 exposed. This feature, inconjunction with the delivery of atomized lubricant to the saw surfacesthrough the spacers 34, and as discussed more specifically below,enables the saws 32 to be made considerably thinner than ordinarily, andthe set of the teeth of saws 32 to be considerably reduced, as comparedwith the conventional set of ripsaws. For example, in a machine forripping A" stock, the blades are 6" in diameter and .035" in thickness,and the set of the teeth is only .005" on each side, resulting in aformed kerf of only approximately As will be apparent, the thickness ofthe spacers 34 determines the width of the strips or slats cut. With thespacers 34 easily interchangeable, it

will also be understood that adaptation of the assembly to any desiredstrip or slat thickness can be readily effected.

Substantially uniform delivery of atomized lubricant to all saw surfacesof the saw assembly GS is also a fundamental feature of the presentinvention. As will be understood, eifective and continuing lubricationof all saw surfaces facilitates the kerf cutting action by providinglubrication between the saw blade and the wood, facilitates use of thinsaws with small blade set by continually cooling of the saws, andfurther facilitates commercial usage of the saws for long periodswithout shutdown in that the saws and lubricant delivery passageways areself-cleaning and the manner of lubricant delivery prevents thelubricant passageways from being clogged by ambient sawdust or the like.

To provide atomized lubricant delivery, with incident self-cooling andself-cleaning characteristics, the form of saw assembly GS illustratedat FIGS. 1-5 has the tubular mandrel end 36 axially bored at its outerend, as at 70, which outer end bore is in direct, axial communicationwith an enlarged bore chamber 72 which in turn is provided with a seriesof long, radially extending slots 74 (four being shown by way ofexample), of a length to be substantially the width in the saw assemblyof the width of the gang of saws 32, or nearly so. Said slots 74 in turncornmunicate with an annular hub chamber 76 provided in the interspacebetween the outside of tubular mandrel end 36 and the interior bore oftubular hub member 52. Said hub chamber 76, as will be noted in FIG. 3,entirely surrounds mandrel end 36 and particularly slots 74 therein, andis provided with a plurality of radially extending hub slots 78 (fourbeing shown by way of example), in radial alignment with mandrel slots74 and of a length to be substantially the width of the gang of saws 32.Said hub slots 78 in turn are in direct communication with angularspacer manifold chambers 80 provided in both sides of spacers 34- and inthe saw engaging spaces of end flange 38 and flange ring 60.

Leading from said annular spacer manifold chambers 89 are a plurality(four being shown by way of example) of swept-back spacer and end flangeslots 82 with their inner ends in radial alignment with hub slots 78(FIG. 4) and with their outer ends emerging near the blades of the saws32 and directly on the surfaces of said saws 32. With respect to saidspacer and end flange slots 82, it has been found that the dispositionthereof so as to be swept-back an angle of about -4S from radialaugments the delivery or" atomized lubricant, in view of thecomparatively small cross-section of these passageways in relation totheir length, and in view of the relatively high speed of rotation ofthe assembly GS. As will be apparent, the optimum swept-back angle ofsaid spacer slots 82 is to a degree proportionately correlated to thespeed of rotation of the saw assembly GS.

Delivery of atomized lubricant into the saw assembly, and particularlymandrel end bore 79, is accomplished in the form of the invention shownat FIGS. 1-5 by a lubricant atomizer indicated generally at LA. Morespecifically, said lubricant atomizer LA receives pressurized lubricantfrom line LL and pressurized air from air line AL, and provides bylubricant atomizing nozzle 84 and an envelope of pressurized airemerging from orifice 86 of air chamber 38 an air-mixed atomized sprayof the lubricant into axial bores '76 and '72. Lubricant atomizerassembly LA is non-rotatively positioned by suitable means (not shown)contiguous to the outer end of mandrel 20. One problem with respect toany arrangement for delivering lubricant from a non-rotative source to amandrel rotating at high speed is that normally any gapping between thenon-rotative and rotative elements will engender an aspiration ofambient air and entrained sawdust or the like into the lubricantdelivery passageways, with consequent clogging of the passageways in arelatively short time. This problem is obviated by the disposition andarrangement of lubricant atomizer LA shown at FIG. 3 because of thepressurized air envelope surrounding the injected atomized lubricant. Aportion of the air envelope emerging from orifice 86 of the lubricantatomizer LA bleeds out of the gap between the contiguous faces of thelubricant atomizer LA and the mandrel 20, as indicated by the arrowsdesignated 90, and positively prevents any aspiration of ambient air anddust into the saw assembly passageways.

To summarize the arrangement of lubricant delivering passageways in thesaw assembly GS, and to point out the important features thereof interms of delivering atomized lubricant substantially uniformly to allsurfaces of saws 32, it will be seen that the sequence of passagewaysinvolves mandrel end bore 70, enlarged mandrel bore chamber 72, mandrelslots 74, hub chamber 76, hub slots 78, annular spacer chambers 89, andspacer and end flange slots 82. The sequence and relative volumes ofthese passageways importantly contribute to the uniformity of lubricantdelivery to all of the saws 32. In sequence, end bore 70 is followed bya relatively large mandrel bore chamber 72, then relatively smallmandrel slots 74, then relatively large hub chamber 76, then relativelysmall hub slots 78, then relatively large annular chambers 80, thenrelatively small slots 82. There is thus a series of small, then large,then small, then large, then small, then large, then small passagewayswhich tend to minimize velocity of flow eifects and, in a manner whichcan be analogized to baflling in an automobile mutller, the relativepressure of the atomized lubricant emerging from the various spacer andend flange slots 82 is substantially uniform across the entire width ofthe saw assembly GS.

FIG. 6 shows a modified form of lubricant atomizer LA. In this form ofatomizer, the outer end 36' is con ically tapered, the associated sawassembly GS being in all other respects the same as shown at FIG. 3. Inthe atomizer LA, pressurized air is delivered from line AL through amanually controllable valve 92 and the lubricant is suitably deliveredfrom lubricant line LL through manually controllable valve 94, thelubricant atomization occurring by right angle related nozzles in amanner conventional per se in certain forms of liquid spraying devices.In this form of atomization, atomization occurs by the high velocity airflow across the lubricant nozzle, and the characteristic isolation ofthe lubricant atomization is accomplished by arranging the spacingbetween the atomizer air orifice 86 and the conical end 36 of themandrel to be in a non-obstructed line of flow from atomizing chamber88, the pressurization of air therein in part causing an outflow of airin the spacing between said orifice 86 and mandrel end 36, as indicatedby the arrows designated 9h. As will be apparent, the lubricant deliverythrough line LL and valve 94 can be from any suitable source, such assimply by a gravitational feed.

FIGS. 7-12 serve to illustrate several further modifications andadditional elements, which may be used individually or in combination,as design variation in the practice of the present invention.

In FIG. 7, a modified form is shown embodying respective infeed andoutfeed fingers 10d) and 102 which are formed as integral parts of thehorizontal table T to extend between the disk saws 32 and overlie thespacers 34. The purpose of the fingers and 102 is to support the thinstrips of slats which have been cut by the saws 32 from lumber L movingin the direction indicated at D. The fingers 100 and 102 prevent thedragging of: the cut material between the saws 34 and are advantageouswhere the cut strips or slats are quite thin.

In FIG. 8, there is illustrated a modified construction of the outfeedrolls, designated OR. Spacers 104 are provided on the rolls, to fitbetween the strips or slats being cut from lumber L as such strips orslats feed past the saw assembly. As will be appreciated, the purpose ofsaid spacers 104 is to maintain the cut strips or slats in properalignment and spacing, the guiding function thus effected beingdesirable and sometimes even necessary when the strips or slats arerelatively quite thin.

In FIG. 9, there is illustrated a further modification as to the infeedand outfeed roll arrangement, wherein the outfeed rolls OR are ofsubstantially larger diameter than the diameter of the infeed rolls IR.When said infeed rolls IR and outfeed rolls OR" are revolved at the samespeed, the increased diameter of the outfeed rolls OR" results in agreater peripheral speed thereof than the peripheral speed of the infeedrolls IR, thereby providing a constant tension on the strips or slatsbeing cut to prevent buckling thereof.

FIG. illustrates suitable mechanism for aligning the saw assembly GSwith respect to the table T and for aligning upper and lower sawassemblies, when such assemblie are used as a vertically arranged pair.The alignment mechanism shown at FIG. 10 is mounted on the framestructure F and comprises a post or bracket 106 mounted in fixedposition on said frame. The bracket 106 is formed with a vertical slot108 for slidably mounting a bracket 110 which extends in a horizontalposition at right angles to the bracket 106. The bracket 110 also isformed with a slot as at 112. Mounted in and depending from the bracket110 is a movable spindle supporting bracket 114 mounting bearings 116therein supporting the spindle 20. Bracket 110 is vertically adjustablein the post 106 by means of the adjusting screw 118 which is rotatablysecured at one end of said bracket 106. The screw 118 is threadeddownwardly through the flange portion 120 of the bracket 106. Anotherscrew adjustment means 122 is similarly provided for lateral adjustmentof the bracket 114 in relationship to the bracket 110.

In FIG. 11, there is illustrated a modification of a saw assemblywherein hogging blades 130 are provided on both side of the assembly ofrelatively thin saws 32. These relatively thick hogging blades 130 servethe purpose of simultaneously cutting a substantially thicker or heavierportion of excess Wood on the side edges of the lumber L from which theslats or strips are being formed. Hogging blades 130 of differentthicknesses can be used so as to assure a uniformity of thickness of allslats or strips produced. It will be appreciated that there can often besubstantial differences in the width of the wood from which the slatsare formed, i.e. the lumber stock is of varying width as presented tothe saw assembly. The hogging blades 130 make it possible to compensatefor these deviations.

In FIG. 12, there is illustrated a modified saw blade 32 which is formedwith larger teeth 132 and greater spacing 134 between the teeth. Inconventional saw practice, the peripheral speed of the blade is limitedby the tendency of the blades to burn at high speed due to greaterfriction and the limited ability of the teeth to dissipate the heatproduced. Higher rim speeds produce smoother cuts, although withconventional systems, substantial flutter and distortion may also beencountered. With the spaces 34 and the improved atomized lubrication,self-cleaning and self-cooling features of the saw assemblycharacteristic of the present invention, these problems are largelyeliminated and higher rim speeds, i.e., higher efficiency both in speedand quality of cut, are attainable. For example, while conventionalpractice is to operate ripsaws at rim speeds in the range of up to12,000 feet per minute, the present invention makes possible andpractical rim speeds of up to 20,000 feet or more per minute, and usethereof for prolonged periods. With the higher rim speeds thus enabled,it is now possible to obtain smooth, accurate cuts with saw 32' composedof fewer, larger teeth 132 and with substantially greater spacing 134between the teeth, This reduces the power requirements and the cost ofthe blades and maintenance problems. The larger teeth 132 also improvethe heat dissipation from the tips of the teeth 132 because of thegreater mass of the tooth material to conduct the heat. The powerrequirements and smoothness of the cut are governed by the spacing, asat 134, the peripheral speed, and the rate of feed of material throughthe saws 32. Further, the coolant action extends blade life considerablyby reducing heating and Wear at tips of teeth. Socalled hard alloys andhard chrome plating of the saw blades are also rendered more practicaland further magnify this advantage. The highly eflicient, cooling actionprovided by the invention also makes practical the use in many instancesof the so-called hollow ground saws having teeth with no set.

FIGS. 13 and 14 serve to illustrate yet another form of saw assembly GScharacteristic of the invention, wherein is employed a solid mandel 20with atomized lubricant passageways arranged entirely exteriorlythereof. In this form of saw assembly, the saws 32 and spacers 34 areassembled on a tubular hub member having an outwardly arranged, integralend flange 142 and an inwardly arranged threaded end receiving flangering 144 and assembly nut 146. In a manner like the form of saw assemblyGS shown at FIG. 3, saw assembly GS has the hub member 140 thereofcentered on mandrel 20 by means of collar 46 lying again-st mandrelflange 38, and collar 48 engaged by washer 42, which is in turn held inposition by assembly nut 44.

In the form of saw assembly GS shown at FIGS. 13 and 14, the outer endflange 142 of the tubular hub member 140 is provided with a plurality(four being shown by way of example) of lubricant passageways 148leading in inward directions into hub chamber 150 surrounding themandrel 20 and into a plurality of hub slots 152 which are in turn incommunication with the annular spacer and end flange chambers 80, inturn leading to spacer and end flange slots 82. End flange passageways148 receive atomized lubricant from a rotating manifold spider 154mounted on end flange 142 a by bolts 156. The axially disposed inlet end158 of manifold spider 154 threadably receives a cap nut 160 in which isfitted the non-rotative flanged end 162 of the atomized lubricantdelivery line 164. The non-rotative to rotative connection comprisingnut 160 and flanged line end 162 can be of any suitable, substantiallysealed type known per se, or can be simply close fitting, with theseveral right angles involved in the flow path between the interior ofmanifold spider 154 and ambient air providing that no aspiration ofambient air occurs. The substantial back pressure occurring in the areaof end 158 of mandrel spider 154 also aids in avoiding aspiration ofambient air through the non-rotating to rotating joint in that theflanged end 162 of the lubricant delivery line faces a manifold wall.

As will be apparent, the modified saw assembly GS shown at FIGS, 13 and14 offers the constructional advantage that a solid mandrel 20' isemployed.

FIG. 15 serves to illustrate yet another form of mandrel assembly GS,specifically designed as a unitized cartridge for converting existingrotary saw equipment to have the atomized lubrication features of theinvention. In construction of this modified form of the invention, theexisting saw mandrel 20" is first shortened and rethreaded as at toaccommodate a cartridge comprising a tubular mandrel extension 172having an integral, inner end flange 173 and receiving the assemblage ofsaws 32, spacers 34, outer flange ring 60, and assembly nut 62. As shownat FIG. 15, said tubular mandrel extension comprises a hardened andreplaceable (for Wear) outer end 174 with an axial bore 176 (like bore70 of FIG. 3) leading into an enlarged bore chamber 178 (like chamber 72of FIG. 3), which in turn communicates with a plurality of mandrel slots180 (like slots 74 of FIG. 3) leading to a recessed, annularlysurrounding chamber 182 (like hub chamber 76 of FIG. 3), which thendirectly communicates with annular spacer chambers 80 and slots 82.Delivery of lubricant into the saw assembly GS" shown at FIG. 15 is tosaid outer end insert 174 from a non-rotative end 184, and the nature ofatomized lubricant delivery from said end 184- and the shielding againstaspiration of ambient air is provided by said insert 174 and lubricantline end 184 is essentially the same as discussed in connection with theform of the invention shown at FIG. 6.

FIG. 16 serves to illustrate yet other design variations characteristicof the invention. In FIG. 16, solid mandrel 20" is journaled at itsouter end in bearing 22' and receives the gang of saws 32 and spacers 34on a tubular hub member 190 threaded onto said mandrel 20" at its innerend and provided with an integral flange end 192 at its outer end, thegang saw assembly being completed by inner flange ring 194 and assemblynut 196. Annular hub chamber 198 and hub slots 200 are in communicationwith annular chambers 80 and slots 82 in like manner as the form of theinvention shown in FIGS. 13, 14, and receive atomized lubricant frompassageways 202 in flange end 192, which construction is directly andrespectively comparable to hub chambers 150, slots 52 and passageways148 of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 13, 14. Outer flange end192 of the assembly shown in FIG. 16 mounts as by screws 204 a manifoldring 206 with a series of holes 208, which rotates within a non-rotativeannular manifold chamber 210 fed atomized lubricant from line 212. Inthe form of lubricant manifol-ding shown at FIG. 16, the rotating tonon-rotating seal is between the raised flanges of ring 206 and theraised edge flanges of ring 210, as shown. As will be apparent, theconstruction is such to obviate aspiration of ambient air into themanifolding, by virtue of the pressurized lubricant delivery and thedisposition of the interfitting flanges of manifolding elements 206,210.

With respect to the nature of the disk saws, and as pointed out inconnection with FIG. 12, important improvements in saw bladeconstruction are made possible by the present invention. As comparedwith the conventional ripsaw thickness of .060" or more, saws used inthe lubricated and self-cooling environment provided by the sawassemblies here presented can be about 0.025".050" thick, and the sawblade set can be less' than .010".

Wtih respect to the nature of the lubricant and coolant, such can besimply an oily-type liquid such as diesel oil or kerosene, or a blendthereof with aromatic solvents, or admixture or emulsion of such liquidwith water, with various organic or inorganic additives known per se,such as corrosion inhibitors. Oil-in-water type silicone emulsions are aspecific example of a good compounded lubricant of high lubricity. As tothe pressurization f the lubricant, the pressure thereof at theatomizing nozzle should be at least about 10 psi. gage, the air pressure(as at line AL in FIG. 3) should be at least about p.S.i. gage, and thepressure of the atomized lubricant at the saw blades is to be at leastslightly above the dynamic pressure occurring at the blade surfaces, itbeing notable in this regard that the comparison here involved isrelative and that the centrifugal action of the rotating blades cangenerate a reduced pressure condition at the blade faces which isactually subatmospheric. As to the volume of lubricant employed, atypical installation involving a single gang assembly of nine blades canuse about ten gallons of lubricant per eight hour shift, and it will beunderstood that the rate of consumption of lubricant will vary widelydepending upon the character of the wood, the diameter, gage and speedof rotation of the blades, the set of the saw teeth, and the feed speedof the wood stock, as well as other related factors, the importantconsiderations being to maintain adequate lubricant flow to keep the sawblades pitch-free and to keep blade temperature below the scorchtemperature of the wood.

Such lubricants can be metered to the saw assembly by any suitable meanssuch as gravity or a positive displacement metering pump driven by thelumber feed mechanism (FIGS. 1 and 2). The lubricant feed means can alsoinclude a precooler to aid the cooling function at the saw blades, ifdesired. The extent of flow of lubricant can be controlled by the feedmechanism, the amount pumped being proportional to the feed speed.Likewise, the flow of coolant can be automatically stopped when the feedmechanism is stopped. Alternatively the flow can be controlled by anysuitable means actuated by the material passing through the saws. Thiscan consist of a direct mechanical linkage or electrical limit switches,or air operating valves in conjunction with appropriate solenoid valves,and the like.

As to the manner of atomization of the lubricant, the incident particlesize resulting from the atomization has been found to be important tothe eifectiveness of the lubricating and cooling functions obtained. Ifthe lubricant is not sufficiently atomized, the lubricant particles haveessentially liquid characteristics and are not evenly distributed (i.e.carried by) the air stream. If the lubricant is too finely atomized, afog is produced, having essentially gaseous characteristics (i.e. thelubricant is mostly vaporized) and the lubricant does not cling to thesaw surfaces. The atomized lubricant should be at least principally inthe form of what may be termed a mist, rather than in the form of eitherliquid drops or vaporous fog, and the term mist is used herein in thiscontext. It is to also be observed in this connection however, that themist forming atomization of the lubricant at the saw assembly absorbs asubstantial degree of thermal energy, by virtue of the reduction inparticle size and increase in velocity of the lubricant incident to itsatomization, so that the lubricant in mist form is functionally acooling agent as well as a lubricating agent with good clingingproperties.

From the foregoing, it will be understood that various otherconstructional and operational modifications of equipment can beeffected which utilize some or all features of the present invention.Thus, by further typical example, the invention is adaptable toarrangements of over and under saw assemblies where each saw assemblycuts about half-way through the lumber (as indicated in connection withthe alignment components shown at FIG. 8), and can also be utilized incertain respects where the saw assembly comprises a single disk saw, inthat even with a single saw there are still the problems of uniformityand efficiency of lubrication and the problem of maintaining atomizedlubricant flow Without aspiration of ambient air.

By the term wood and like materials, it is considered that themist-lubrication method and equipments according to the invention haveutility for cutting wood and any like material where similar problemsexist in terms of minimizing kerf loss, and lubricating, cooling, andcieaning the kerf-forming blade surfaces. Thus, in addition to wood suchas lumber, the invention can be used as well for glue laminated or mattewood products, such as plywood, hardboard and fiberboard, or for plasticor glue impregnated wood products such as ship board or particle board,or for non-laminated or laminated plastics, for example.

Various further modifications according to the present invention will beapparent to those skilled in the art, within the scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gang saw assembly, comprising a rotatably mounted solid mandrel, atubular hub member mounted coaxially of said mandrel and spacedinternally therefrom, a gang of alternately arranged circular saws andoutwardly channelled saw spacers arranged coaxially on said tubular hubmember, the said tubular hub member having a plurality of radiallydirected, axially extending passageways therein providing elongatedcommunicating means between an interspace between said tubular hubmember and the mandrel and the spacer channels, the said tubular hubmember further having an integral flange at one end thereof, a pluralityof passageways arranged in said flange to communicate between the saidmandrel and tubular hub member interspace and the exterior of saidflange, rotatably mounted passageway means in direct communication withthe said passageways in said flange, and means for injecting lubricantinto the said rotatably mounted passageway means.

2. The saw assembly of claim 1, wherein said rotatably mountedpassageway means comprises a manifold ring mounted on said tubular hubmember flange, said ring having a plurality of passageways in directcommunication with said flange passageways, and a nonrotative manifoldchamber of annular configuration in direct and contiguous communicationwith said manifold ring to effect a non-rotating-to-rotating jointtherebetween.

3. A gang saw assembly, comprising a rotatably mounted solid mandrel, atubular hub member mounted coaxially of said mandrel and spacedinternally therefrom, a gang of alternately arranged circular saws andoutwardly slotted saw spacers arranged coaxially on said tubular hubmember, the said tubular hub member having a plurality of radiallydirected, axially extending passageways therein providing elongatedcommunicating means between an interspace between said tubular hubmember and the mandrel and the spacer slots, the said tubular hub memberfurther having an integral flange at one end thereof, a plurality ofpassageways in said flange arranged to communicate between the saidmandrel and tubular hub member interspace and the exterior of saidflange, rotatably mounted passageway means in direct communication withsaid passageways in said flange, lubricant injection means contiguous tothe said rotatably mounted passageway means, and non-rotatingto-rotatingseal means between said rotatably mounted passageway means and saidlubricant injection means.

4. A gang saw assembly for ripsawing lumber, comprising a rotatablymounted, solid mandrel, a tubular hub member mounted coaxially of saidmandrel and spaced internally therefrom, a gang of alternately arrangedcircular saws and outwardly channelled saw spacers arranged coaxially onsaid tubular hub member, the said tubular hub member having a pluralityof communicating passageways therein between the interspace between saidtubular hub member and said mandrel and the spacer channels, saidtubular hub member further comprising an integral flange at one endthereof, a plurality of passageways in said flange arranged tocommunicate between said mandrel and tubular hub member interspace andthe exterior of said flange, a lubricant delivering spider mountedexteriorly of said flange with a plurality of interconnected passagewaysin direct communication with the passageways in said flange, the centralportion of said spider including a common passageway chamber situatedcoaxially of said mandrel, and means for injecting lubricant into thesaid central portion of said spider.

5. A gang saw assembly for ripsawing lumber, comprising a rotatablymounted, solid mandrel, a tubular hub member mounted coaxially of saidmandrel and spaced internally therefrom, a gang of alternately arrangedcircular saws and outwardly slotted saw spacers arranged coaxially onsaid tubular hub member, the said tubular hub member having a pluralityof slots providing elongated communicating passageways therein betweenthe interspace between said tubular hub member and said mandrel and thespacer slots, said tubular hub member further comprising an integralflange at one end thereof, a plurality of passageways in said flangearranged to communicate between said mandrel and tubular hub memberinterspace and the exterior of said flange, a lubricant deliveringspider mounted exteriorly of said flange with a plurality ofinterconnected passageways in direct communication with the passagewaysin said flange, the central portion of said spider including a commonpassageway chamber situated coaxially of said mandrel, and lubricantinjection means for delivering lubricant into the said central portionof said spider, and non-rotatingto-rotating seal means between the saidlubricant injection means and the said central portion of said spider.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 189,613 4/1877Dicey 14356 1,944,577 1/1934 Rose 83 169 2,372,699 4/ 1945 Wiken et a1.83100 2,393,845 1/1946 Wagner et al 83-169 2,929,568 3/1960 Vawter 51267WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., Primary Examiner.

DONALD R. SCHRAN, Examiner.

1. A GANG SAW ASSEMBLY, COMPRISING A ROTATABLYMOUNTED SOLID MANDREL, ATUBULAR HUB MEMBER MOUNTED COAXIALLY OF SAID MANDREL AND SPACEDINTERNALLY THEREFROM A GANG OF ALTERNATELY ARRANGED CIRCULAR SAWS ANDOUTWARDLY CHANNELLED SAW SPACERS ARRANGED COAXIALLY ON SAID TUBULAR HUBMEMBER, THE SAID TUBULAR HUB MEMBER HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIALLYDIRECTED, AXIALLY EXTENDING PASSAGEWAYS THEREIN PROVIDING ELONGATEDCOMMUNICATING MEANS BETWEEN AN INTERSPACE BETWEEN SAID TUBULAR HUBMEMBER AND THE MANDREL AND THE SPACER CHANNELS, THE SAID TUBULAR HUBMEMBER FURTHER HAVING AN INTEGRAL FLANGE AT ONE END THEREOF, A PLURALITYOF PASSAGEWAYS ARRANGED IN SAID FLANGE TO COMMUNICATE BETWEEN THE SAIDMANDREL AND TUBULAR HUB MEMBER INTERSPACE AND THE EXTERIOR OF SAIDFLANGE, ROTATABLY MOUNTED PASSAGEWAY MEANS IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION WITHTHE SAID PASSAGEWAYS IN SAID FLANGE, AND MEANS FOR INJECTING LUBRICANTIN SAID ROTATABLY MOUNTED PASSAGEWAY MEANS.